Zelda awoke, feeling refreshed. It was possibly the best sleep she had ever gotten in a long time. Her heart and mind were at ease. Her muscles were relaxed. No worries flooded her mind. All seemed well.

Until she heard a quiet knock on her door.

"Come in," Zelda called in a raspy voice.

Zelda watched as the Zora Champion entered her room, holding her large Lightscale Trident behind her. Mipha was quite small for a Champion, and her Trident was almost twice the size of her, but despite this, she was very skilled in her craft as well as combat. She was not one to mess with.

"Your highness," Mipha greeted with a bow, looking down at the wooden floor. "I have something to discuss with you."

Zelda nodded, sitting up fully in her bed. Her expression softened to a smile. "Go on, Lady Mipha."

Mipha continued. "A man from Kakariko came to your father today, this early morn. He began on and on about a disease that plagued Kakariko's famous pumpkins. Your father is busy with work due to the recently-knighted trainees, so he requested that you be sent in his place to return peace to the small village."

Zelda tried to contain her annoyance. "When shall I depart?" She said politely, instead of snapping a rude remark. Zelda had to repeat in her head, This isn't Mipha's fault. Don't shoot the messenger.

Mipha nodded sadly. "Quite soon." Mipha could read Zelda like a book. She could tell she was upset. "I'm sorry, your highness. I would go in your place if I was able."

Zelda smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Lady Mipha. That is very kind of you to say."

Mipha titled her head slightly, and her long red fin flopped along. "Although, I do have something else to tell you."

Zelda furrowed her brows. "What is it?" She folded her arms across her chest, rubbing her forearms to try and keep her goosebumps down.

"A knight stepped forward when the villager from Kakariko came with his pleas," Mipha began, "and he offered to take you to the village. The King questioned him for a little bit, before agreeing."

Zelda's eyes widened a bit.

"Something about him being the son of the leader of the Royal Guard." Mipha placed a scaly finger to her round chin, smiling. "The young knight looked very excited."

Zelda stood, swinging her legs off of her mattress. She clasped her hands together. "When am I leaving?"

Mipha pointed to Zelda's dresser. "Soon, your highness. Get to it!"

Zelda nodded as Mipha waved, exiting Zelda's bedroom. She began rummaging for traveling attire, which she did not use all too often. She slipped on a warm, Rito-made coat. Along with it, she stepped into a pair of warm stockings, finishing off her look with a cute hat and fuzzy boots.

Zelda rushed down into the throne room, awaiting her departure. Before reaching the last step, however, she stopped in her tracks. She could hear, and see, a conversation between her father and Prince Philip.

"Your majesty, I could go with the two," he suggested politely, "just to ensure the princess' safe return."

"Ah," the King smirked, "what a nice way to get to know my daughter better. You there!" The King pointed to the knight, Link, who requested to escort Zelda. "We do not need you anymore, kind knight. Prince Philip here will escort my daughter. It'll be perfect, with you two alone and all."

"Discussing rotten pumpkins?" Zelda chimed in, and her father stared at her, unaware of her arrival.

"My dear! Good morning," the King smiled nervously, trying to cover up his previous conversation.

"I am content with going with the new knight," Zelda frowned. She kept her eyes on her father, trying not to look Link's way. If she showed any sign that they knew each other, her plan was toast. She had to keep a leveled head. "Plus, it would be a great way to train newly knighted trainees. Whenever I need to go places, stick a new knight with me! That'll teach them."

The King sighed. "Zelda, what if something were to happen to you? At least with Prince Philip, I'm putting you in the hands of someone who will take care of you. Someone I trust."

"Excuse me?" Zelda stepped down the last stair, almost growling at her father. "You trust this man, who you've known for barely even two days, but you can't trust a knight from your own Royal Guard?"

The King's cheeks flushed pink. "W-Well, daughter, I, erm..."

"Father, if you give me time, I will pick a suitor for me, okay?" She turned to Philip, her lips curving into a sad smile. "Philip is kind, and quite wonderful, but I do not love him."

The look in Philip's eyes showed pain and reject. He stared at Zelda, as if he was asking, "Why? I love you, why do you not love me, princess?"

Zelda turned to look at Link, finally. She smiled, this time, genuinely. "Give the new knight a chance."

Philip looked over at this knight, clad in the royal garb. He then turned to Zelda, then back at the King. "Your highness, might I ask a question?"

The King nodded his head gently. "Why, you may, Philip."

"A suitor must be of royal blood, correct?" Philip enunciated the words royal blood, as if he were trying to sound suspicious. Zelda's breath hitched in her throat.

"That is correct," the King answered.

"If I'd know any better," Philip began, not even daring to look in Zelda's direction, "I would assume the princess was falling in love with this new knight." A few people gasped in the throne room, including the King. "I don't mean to point fingers, but... It would make logical sense. I mean, why would she wish to go with him so badly?"

He paused, looking at Link. Link's eyebrows were furrowed in anger.

"The two of them, alone, away from the castle—"

"I've heard enough!" Zelda bellowed. She stomped her way over to Prince Philip, slamming her boots onto the marble floor. It was as if the whole throne room rattled with fear. Zelda pressed a finger against Philip's chest. "You will not make assumptions about me and my intentions! Intentions of which I have none!" Her voice shook as she spoke, wavering between shouting and speaking.

"Well then, it shouldn't be a problem if I come along, would it?" Philip had to keep himself from smirking.

"No. I refuse." Zelda glared at Philip. She then smiled menacingly. "Well, Philip, if you ask me, I could make an assumption that you only want to come along to harm me while no one is around to see it."

The whole throne room was quiet. Everyone stared at the two royals, who looked like they were about to kill each other.

"I don't know why you would assume such a thing," Philip said in a low voice.

"We're all assuming here, now, aren't we?" Zelda smiled. "I want you out of my kingdom. Now."

Philip stared at Zelda. "You don't know what you're doing."

Zelda waved Philip off. "Yes, I do. Goodbye."

Philip pointed at the King. "Your daughter is a mess. If you don't fix her soon, she'll ruin something. Everything." He turned to Zelda, running his right hand through his red hair. "You'll regret treating me like this," he growled, turning on his heels, leaving the throne room.

Zelda looked up at her father. The two looked at each other, looking into each other's eyes. Zelda shook her head. "We will be on our way. We can take the horses from the stables."

The King said nothing as he nodded his head.

People paved a path for Link and Zelda as they walked down the middle of the room.

"Zelda," the King called.

Zelda turned to look at her father, who was obviously holding back something.

"Be careful. I trust you," he said.

Zelda nodded, exiting the castle with Link, preparing for whatever is to come.

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